Jenny stiffened. “Cain fought the guy who attacked me. He could have been seriously injured. If he hadn’t shown up when he did . . .” She thought of the attack, and a lump formed in her throat.
Dylan pulled her back in for another quick hug. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here. If something bad had happened to you, I would never forgive myself.”
Jenny reached up and touched his lean cheek. “I love you, Dylan. You’re the best brother anyone could ever have. But I’m a grown woman. I own my own business, and I learned how to take care of myself a long time ago.”When I dumped my cheating, abusive husband.
But Jenny didn’t say that. Very few people knew how awful her marriage had actually been, what a vicious, lying snake in the grass Richard was.
Not even her brother.
“It was sweet of you to take time off from work and drive all this way, Dylan, but I really am okay.” Jenny glanced around. “The bar is filling up, Barb worked all day, and tonight’s Troy’s night off. I don’t have much time. I’m bartending and closing up.”
One of his dark eyebrows went up. “By yourself?”
She laughed. “I’ve been closing up since I took over running the place. Don’t worry, I won’t be driving home late. I’m not even living in Cottonwood anymore. I moved out a few days ago. I’m staying in a room upstairs.”
“What about the house?”
“I rented it. Once I get the Star back on track, after the lease is up, I can move back in. Or we can sell it and split the money.”
Dylan ran a hand over his jaw. “All right, I get it. Sometimes I still think of you as my kid sister, and I worry.”
She smiled. “I’m still your kid sister. Now go sit down at the bar, and I’ll feed you. Burger, okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“We may have an empty room upstairs. You wanna stay over?”
Jenny glanced up as Summer walked into the saloon. Her gaze found Jenny, lit on Dylan, and her cheeks flushed. Summer faltered, but kept walking.
“Hi, Jenny,” she said. She looked pretty tonight, in a soft peach sweater, flowing, ankle-length skirt, and low heels, her silvery hair loose around her shoulders. She liked to dress nicely when she worked in the boutique. “Hi, Dylan.”
Dylan smiled. “Hi, Summer.” He was looking at her as if he had never seen her before.
Jenny wondered if maybe he really hadn’t.
“You here for supper?” he asked.
“I just dropped by to hear how Jenny’s new job is going,” Summer said.
Dylan’s head swiveled in Jenny’s direction. “What new job?”
Summer kept talking. “She didn’t tell you? She’s working for Cain Barrett over at the Grandview. She’s helping him get the place in order.”
Jenny’s eyebrows went up. “How did you know that?”
“You’re working for Barrett?” Dylan asked, the frown back on his face.
“Only part-time,” Jenny said. “I get to set my own hours, so it shouldn’t be too hard.”
Summer smiled. “Cain told me about the job when he came looking for you on Monday. That’s why I gave him your home address.”
Life in Jerome. No privacy whatsoever. Jenny just sighed, but Dylan was still frowning.
“Do either of you have any idea of Cain Barrett’s reputation?” he said. “The man’s screwed women from coast to coast. I’ve seen pictures of him with cover models and movie stars.” He turned to Jenny. “You’re in way over your head, sis. You need to watch yourself.”
Irritation bubbled through her. Cain’s love life was hardly a secret. No matter how much money he had, he was still just a man. She could handle Cain Barrett. The kiss they’d shared meant nothing, and she intended to keep it that way.
“I’ve seen the stories about him, Dylan. The job is interesting, and I need a fresh challenge. You should be able to understand that since your job is different and interesting every day. The job at the Grandview pays well, and I think I’m going to be good at it. Other than that, I’m not involved with the man in any way.”
